Shiver Sweet

by H Elliston

  I stopped on the landing outside my bedroom and put my birthday cards on the floor. I faced Brian and glanced at the phone in his hand.

  “This is about us, Christa. Okay?” He engaged my eyes. “Whatever happens, nothing will bring Michael back. So let’s not feel guilty.”

  I nodded up at him. “About us.”

  “And just so you know, I don’t blame you.”

  I pressed my lips together. I wouldn’t blame him if he did.

  “My sister can be very... overbearing and persuasive at times. I should have realised that what came from your mouth was actually coming from hers.”

  “No. You shouldn’t... it was me. I-I’m embarrassed and I...”

  “Let’s forget that now. It’s done.” He touched my arm. “Ready?”

  My heart practically leapt into my throat. “Go for it.”

  He opened the email on his phone.

  Brian inhaled through his nose, then shifted his eyes to mine, his face giving nothing away.

  “Well?” I put my little finger between my teeth and bit down.

  He shrugged a shoulder. “Looks like I’m...” His face lit up, causing the hairs on my nape to raise. The most brilliant, joyous blue eyes stared back at me. “I’m officially a dad!” He bent his elbow and fisted the air.

  Oh sweet Jesus.

  Dad. God, I loved the sound of that.

  I stumbled a step back, but then he picked me up and twirled me around the landing. My mouth was still agape when he set me on my feet near my bedroom door.

  We stood staring, lost and awestruck. Brian was glowing, brimming with delight and it made my stomach flutter.

  He put a hand on my waist. “How do you feel? Are you okay with this?”

  I struggled to speak. “I-it... it’s awesome.”

  “Best news ever.”

  “Th... this is unreal. Sarah will be... be...”

  Catching me unawares, he punctuated his delight by planting a kiss on my lips. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have. I...”

  Stunned, I glanced down. “N-no. It’s okay. I’m just a bit...” I raised my eyes to his and my heartbeat quickened. Here he was, the man I loved, but thought I’d lost many years ago. The real father of my child was standing before me, sharing this most... electrical moment.

  I lightly touched the skin below his bandaged arm. “Does it still hurt?”

  “It’s not so bad.” He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “Tell me what you’re thinking?”

  Goose bumps raced up my arms. I used to think the world was against me... but maybe, just maybe it wasn’t anymore. “I’m thinking...” Drunk on the DNA results, Brian, Nicola’s pep talk, the end of our nightmare... I took a breath of courage and raised my eyes, now unable to look away. “Wanna try again?”

  His eyebrows slanted as though he thought he’d misheard. “Wait. Do you mean...”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Sure do.”

  With a tug, he pulled me into him and our lips crushed into one explosive kiss. I snaked my hand around his waist and stroked the soft, warm skin of his back.

  His grip on me tightened and he nipped my lower lip with his teeth. He swept his mouth across my jaw, groaned low and throaty then put his lips to mine again.

  My chest heaved to match his, and then he broke the kiss and pulled away.

  I opened my eyes and blinked hard. Did I do something wrong? “W-why did you stop?”

  He brushed my hair behind my shoulders and smiled. “I’m sorry about... Look, I messed up and I know it might be hard to forgive me for everything. For Claire. I should have known. I kind of pieced things together while on the way to your house that night. I remembered that Claire was the one who told me that biblical story, and she just knew too much about you and your habits to not be-”

  “Hush.” I pressed my finger to his lips. “Forget that... her. Nicola explained and made me see sense.”

  “She did? When I saw her in the hospital I thought she was gonna rip my head off.”

  “Yes. She was. And now she’s threatening to bang our heads together if we don’t, you know, sort things out.”

  He laughed and cocked his head toward the stairs. “We should tell Sarah the news. I can’t wait to see her face.”

  I nodded, but pursed my lips. “She’s waited thirteen years.” I raised my leg and back-kicked my bedroom door open. “And so have I. What’s a few more minutes gonna hurt?”

  A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. “Just a few? Nicola said half an hour.”

  My pulse leaped.

  He scooped me up and carried me into the bedroom. After kicking the door shut, he lowered me to the bed and whipped his shirt off.

  I kissed his bare chest then started unbuttoning my top.

  “No. Let me.” He pushed me back on the bed and straddled me, his erection pressing into my pelvis.

  I moved my arms to my sides, and grinned, inviting him to explore.

  Slowly, he unbuttoned my top and spread it open. “You’re beautiful.” He ran an open palm down my chest, then pulled the left cup of my bra down, revealing my breast. He rolled my nipple between his thumb and finger, then leaned down and took it into his mouth.

  He ran a hand down my body and touched the sweet spot between my thighs.

  I arched my back, moaned and pushed my hands into his hair. Brian, touching me in this way, it was exquisite. Wild desire surged through me. I know he’d said... no, I couldn’t wait. I fumbled for his belt and undid it, then unzipped his jeans.

  He dragged his lips across my chest, then stopped and slid my leggings and panties down to my ankles, stealing a peek at the most intimate part of me.

  I used my heel to push my panties off and to the floor.

  Brian wet his finger, put his hand between my thighs and circled my flesh. While I writhed beneath, he scrambled out of his jeans, then stopped and stood. He whipped his marl-grey fitted boxers off and his erection sprang free.

  My breath caught. I leaned across the mattress and rooted in my bedside drawers for a condom. “God, please don’t say I... Got one.” I rolled onto my back again and held up the foil like a coveted trophy.

  He crawled along the bed, blew on me, then licked and sucked his way up my naked body with tantalizing torture. He unhooked my bra, slipped it down my arms and rested on his elbows above. Face to face.

  He smiled, kissed my lips then raised himself up.

  I tilted my pelvis up to meet his warm groin, then ripped the wrapper open and pulled out the condom, aching to feel him inside me.

  “Let me.” He sat back on his heels and rolled it on.

  I reached up, gripped his neck and pulled him back down into a kiss. The taste of him, his hungry lips on mine... oh, it made me dizzy with desire.

  He shifted on top, nudged my legs wide apart with his knees, then inched himself into me. Our joint, soft guttural moans filled the silence.

  He started moving inside me, slow and deep. Intense arousal built and I clawed the sheets. I’d wanted this, him, for so, so long, just hadn’t known it.

  Thoroughly worked up and hot, I put my palms on his chest to switch position, and pushed until he was sitting back on his heels. After raising myself up, I placed my bent knees either side of his thighs, and lowered myself onto him. He put his hands under my bottom and together, vertical, we found our rhythm.

  My body burned hotter with every motion. Trembling around him, I tightened and my arousal started to peak. I kissed him hard on the mouth and gripped his back. My fingers slid over his sweat.

  A moment later, he thrust into me harder and faster.

  Primitive instinct swamped my mind, a ferocious need took over my body. “Oh, God,” I groaned, bounced on top of him and found my release. From the place we connected, a warm, pulsing energy zinged out and through me in a long-reaching wave.

  I threw my head back, falling apart and trembling all over while he kissed my breasts. A loud, gasping moan of pleasure tore out of my throat.

  His fingers gripped my bottom
. “Ah, Christa.” He thrust hard again, then stilled, going over the edge himself. He pressed his palm over my mouth, silencing me.

  I captured his nape and squeezed, breathing through my nose.

  He nuzzled my neck and dragged his tongue across my collar bone. “Enjoying the party so far?”

  I lowered my head, met his hot, satiated eyes.

  “Well I sure did.” He winked, hand still wrapped over my mouth. “Are you gonna yell again? I know it’s a big house, but still, they might hear you.”

  I shook my head and sucked one of his fingers into my mouth.

  “Good.” He laughed. “‘Cos I don’t want Sarah asking her dad, why her mum’s screaming the house down.” He removed his hand and replaced it with his lips, invading my mouth with his tongue.

  I squeezed him tight, then pulled away to dot a kiss on his bandaged arm.

  “Thanks. Completely forgot about it.” He winked and whispered, “See, told you it was fine.” He rubbed my back and sucked a breath in through his teeth. “God, I could stay like this with you for hours.”

  “Forever, but...”

  He signalled toward the door. “You have guests. And an announcement to make.”

  “I know. I feel kinda guilty.” I collapsed backwards onto the bed and he slipped out of me.

  CHAPTER 34

  CHRISTA

  Grinning like an idiot, I hugged Brian’s t-shirt to cover my nakedness, opened the bedroom door and swept a glance along the landing. All clear. I picked up the birthday cards I’d dropped earlier and paused to listen. All seemed cheerful downstairs as chatter and giggles poured into my ears from below. I stepped back into my room and closed the door again.

  Brian rose from my bed. “Mind if I take a quick shower?”

  “Go for it.”

  “Do you have a spare towel?” Brian came up behind me and snatched me into a cosy hug.

  I leaned back and snuggled into his chest. “Look in the tall cupboard in the en suite. Help yourself.”

  He rested his chin on my shoulder and kissed and nibbled my earlobe. “Are they missing us downstairs yet?”

  “Nope.” I reached up to caress his gorgeous face. “Sarah and Nicola are busy giggling.”

  “You know, unless you put some clothes on, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop touching you.”

  I laughed. This was glorious, standing here enfolded in Brian’s arms swept up in the afterglow of passion. Five days ago, I thought our lives were over. And now today, what a revelation. Our worlds had practically flipped on their heads.

  We were a sort of... real family. It felt strange, but also damn good.

  “Strange week, huh? he said, voicing my sentiment. “I’d have had at least four meetings and be packing for a trip to Birmingham now.”

  “All kinds of weird.”

  “And wonderful, too.” Brian trailed his thumb along my bottom lip, tugging it open.

  “Do you still have to go to Birmingham?”

  “There’s only one place I want to be. Here. Work can wait.”

  I turned in his arms. My heart bloomed as I looked up. The love emanating from his soft, adoring eyes was unmistakeable. In truth, I wanted to pinch myself and check I wasn’t dreaming.

  He kissed the tip of my nose.

  I smiled. “Do you want to tell Sarah, or shall I do the honours?”

  His lips curled up in a happy, contagious grin, and he smoothed hair from my face. “Let’s tell her together.”

  I buried my face into his chest. We fit nicely together.

  “Everything’s going to be okay, you know?” His warm hands slid up and down my hips. “The police will find him.”

  I nodded against his chest. They will, they have to.

  He tilted my chin up. “Until then, there’s me, Dave, Brad... we’ll not leave any of you alone. I’m sure even Harry will keep an eye on you from next door. He seems like a decent enough bloke. Although I get the impression-”

  “Nicola,” I said. “I think he quite likes her.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Brian sat on the end of the bed, and pulled me onto his knee. “Listen, I’ll work from home if I have to, or from here. I love you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you all safe.”

  I put my arms around his neck and laid my head on his shoulder. “Thanks. Really?” Love me? Wow. His warm and fuzzy words eclipsed my bad feelings. A big chunk of my tension, nerves and upset had gone.

  He kissed my forehead. “How about a quick shower, together, then we’ll go downstairs? I’m sure they won’t miss us for a bit longer.”

  The way he’d said that... I let a few seconds slide by then blinked up at him. “You did see me on that website, didn’t you?”

  His lips twitched. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

  “Oh, I knew you’d seen it. Damn.”

  I tried to stand up, but he stopped me and glanced down at my naked body. A wicked smile played on his lips. “I’m not quite done with you yet. I warned you if you didn’t put clothes on...”

  Joy and euphoria bloomed in me afresh. It was very tempting. If I agreed, then what next? Would we ever get out of this room?

  With one hand on the small of my back, he leaned forward and picked my panties up off the floor. “There’s so many things I want to do with you.”

  Goodness! I gulped, unsure of what to make of that statement.

  His nose wrinkled and he laughed. “Don’t look so worried. All good things. A big party for Sarah, and perhaps a holiday someplace warm.”

  I sat trapped in his gaze.

  His lips twitched. In a silky, yet guttural voice he said, “Well, perhaps there’s the odd wicked thought in there.” He grabbed my wrists and bound them behind my back with my panties.

  Every part of my body clenched and tingled in response.

  He glanced around my room then touched my chin, tilting my head to one side. “Do you have any...” he trailed off and grazed my jaw with his teeth.

  Jesus! Any what?

  My mind was suddenly spellbound with anticipation. Whatever he had in mind sounded scary, and oh-so-wrong seeing as there were people downstairs awaiting us, but also hot! Suddenly, more than ever, staying in this room with him was all I could think about. My chest heaved as he dragged his lips down my neck. “P-perhaps we could take a... quick shower.”

  He tapped my bottom. “Let’s go.”

  I rose from his lap.

  Brian freed my wrists and sauntered into the ensuite while I picked up my birthday cards, yet again. The shower usually took a moment or two to heat up, so I sat back on the bed and tore open a few envelopes. If I walked downstairs with my cards in hand, at least Sarah might think I’d done something... ummm... productive up here.

  Lovely. A humorous card from my aunt and uncle, and a gift voucher from my gran. How thoughtful.

  I opened a card from a friend then one from a customer. Two more remained and... oh! That contract. I’d forgotten all about it. I tore the envelope open and pulled it out. Sure enough, it was a two year contact to service all of their company’s computers. I held the letter to my chest and smiled. Finally, I’d have the money needed to finish restoring the house. Perhaps even employ an assistant. Hmmm.... Nicola. Yes, accepting help wasn’t such a bad thing. It sure felt wonderful right now. I bet Brian had been wondering whether I’d received this letter or not. I’d show my appreciation in the shower.

  I put the letter down and picked up another envelope. I recognised the hand writing of my friend Amanda who worked at a diner on the outskirts of town. Sally’s diner. Why did that ring a bell? There was no address or stamp so she must have pushed it through the letterbox while I was staying at my parents’ house. I tore the envelope open and stood up.

  I pulled the card out and laughed at the cartoon drawing of a frustrated woman throwing a computer against a wall. Yes, that’s me, for sure. When I opened the card to read inside, a paper insert fell out. I stooped to pick it up. Goodness. I gulped. The photocopied cafe receipt I
’d trimmed and handed to Dave several days ago was stuck to the back of a larger piece of paper. I turned it over and frowned at a colourless photograph of people standing in line at the counter of a cafe.

  Brian called for me. “Come on.”

  “Just a minute.” I looked inside the birthday card and read:

  Happy birthday, Christa!

  Sorry this card’s a little late. Hope you had a super day. Dave said you wanted to know who paid for this lunch order. I don’t know the guy’s name, but he’s the one wearing jogging bottoms and ordered the BLT. Hope it helps. Fancy meeting for drinks next weekend?

  Amanda xox

  I shot my eyes back to the picture and stared unblinking. No, it couldn’t be. I turned it over and ran my eyes down the receipt. My heart beat fiercely. There it was.

  BLT. Extra crispy.

  Crap! Crap! Crap!

  I scrambled into my pants, shoved Brian’s t-shirt over my head and sprinted out of the bedroom. I thundered down the stairs, taking them two at a time, and crashed into the wall at the bottom. My heart hammered in my chest. The sly, slippery bastard. All this time, he’d been wriggling into our lives and... it was him. Damn.

  Panting with rage that he was in the same room as Sarah, I steamed into the kitchen through a curtain of balloons and streamers.

  “Christa,” Nicola said, raising a brow at my lack of clothes. “About time. So what’s the verdict?”

  My gaze shot around the room to the men sipping cans of beer and laughing. I stomped straight over and tapped Dave on the shoulder.

  “Hey,” he said, and turned around to face me. “Your cousin was just telling me that-“

  “Excuse me.” I pushed Dave aside, condensed all my anger into a fist and punched Harry on the nose.

  Blood poured out. “What the...?” He stumbled, tripped and fell to the floor.

  Dave gaped at me. “Christa?”

  I glared at Harry and kicked him in the groin. “And that one, you son of a bitch,” I said, all gushing and breathy. “Is for John.”

  Harry roared in pain, cupped himself and curled onto his side.

  I shouted over my shoulder, “Nicola!”

  “Y-yeah?”

  “Call the police.”